Fishing Season: Boardman is now closed upstream of Beitner Rd until 4/27/24. Special regs downstream of Beitner

Boardman River - MI

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

56

Streamside Michigan's Tip of the Week

THE ENTIRE BOARDMAN RIVER IS NOW OPEN. https://www.mdnr-elicense.com 2023 All Species Fishing License is required through March, 2025. Seasonal temps in the upper 60's and low 70's and sunshine to start the week with some rain moving in later in the week. Hendricksons are all over the system now with black caddis in the air this week. Fish are now starting feed regularly as water temps are rising into the upper-50's daily. Boardman River is one of the coldest rivers in the State and is slow to get going because of the many feeder creeks and the cold water they introduce to the system. Levels are returning to normal after thundershowers last weekend.

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Map of Boardman River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Hawkins Outfitters,
Streamside Orvis

5-Day Outlook as of 5/13/24

Water temps, hatches, water temps, and levels have stabilized and fishing is now very good. Midday hatches of Hendricksons and black caddis will continue and black caddis will be coming soon. Fish will feed on the little mayflies and spinnerfalls will come to the water evenings this week. Go to zip code 49684 for latest weather at your favorite weather site.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/13/24

Hendricksons will generally emerge around midday when the water temps reach 53 degrees. Hendrickson spinners will come later in the day when air temps are warmest around 5 or 6pm. Black caddis #16 will emerge all afternoon and egg-layers may take over in the evenings. Watch for the bright green egg sacks on females evenings. Water is now clear and levels are lowering. Streamer fish mornings and then prepare for hatches of Hennies and caddis around noon. North Branch, Forks, and Brown Bridge areas are best right now.

Local Species Available Boardman is now closed upstream of Beitner Rd until 4/27/24. Special regs downstream of Beitner

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    Brook trout

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    brown trout

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    — brown & rainbow trout

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    king & coho salmon

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    smallmouth below Union St dam

Streamside Michigan's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Blue Winged Olive N/A #18
Elk Wing Caddis black #16
Red Quill N/A #12-14
Adams N/A #12-14
Lord's Extended Body Hendrickson N/A #12-14
Loop Winged Hendrickson Emerger N/A #14
Orvis CJ Nymph copper #14
Dark Hendrickson N/A #14
Lord's Egg Laying Hendrickson N/A #12-14
Lord's Egg Laying Black Caddis black #16

Blue Winged Olive

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Streamside Michigan's Recommended Gear

Description: About Boardman River

THE BOARDMAN RIVER IS NOW FULLY OPEN. The beautiful Boardman River, birthplace of the Adams fly, starts east and south of Traverse City and ends as it flows into the west arm of Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan. Self-sustaining populations of rainbow, brown and brook trout inhabit all sections of the river, but have higher populations of brook trout in the uppermost sections. Favorite hatches include Hendricksons and black caddis in May, sulfurs, brown drakes and isonychia in June, with gray drakes and the famous hex hatch in late June and July. Late July and August terrestrial, trico, and baetis fishing rounds out the summer. Aggressive fall spawning browns chase large streamers and attracters in September as well. The upper Boardman River closes the end of September while the lower river below Sabin Dam remains open all year. In October, the lower river fills with Lake Michigan coho and Chinook salmon. The salmon run culminates in late October with a fall run of steelhead. Steelhead fishing continues all winter and peaks in March and April. These enormous 8 to 15 pound lake-run rainbow trout draw anglers from around the world. The easy gradient and sand and gravel bottom makes wading comfortable with numerous public access points. Both arms of Grand Traverse Bay have wadable flats that will host schools of spawning Great Lakes carp and smallmouth in months of May and June.

Nearest Airport:

Cherry Capital Traverse City (TVC)

Hatches:

Ephemerella subvaria #12-14 Hendrickson, Black Caddis #16, Midges #20. Baetis Blue Winged Olive #18 Visit the STREAMSIDEORVIS.COM website for blogs, tips, photos... and more! Like us on Facebook too.

Best Time to Fish:

11am-2pm and 4pm-7pm

Best Stretch:

Forks, Brown Bridge

Best Access:

Brown Bridge Road